The Fifa investigator examining the 2018 and 2022 World Cup bids has called
for evidence from whistle-blowers and others prepared to allege wrongdoing.

Michael J Garcia, the American lawyer hired as chairman of Fifa’s ethics committee, said anyone who brought him evidence of conduct that breached Fifa’s rules would be guaranteed anonymity.

Fifa’s decision to award the 2022 World Cup to Qatar in December 2010 was a major surprise. Allegations that the Qatar bid bribed ­officials for their votes were aired in Parliament.

Qatar deny the allegations but Garcia is conducting an investigation into the bid process for both tournaments. He told France Football that for anyone with evidence of wrongdoing “the moment has come”.

“It’s all open. The time has come for people who have information to come to me, I haven’t got any preconceived ideas on what’s happened,” Garcia said.

“Well [I’m saying to them]: 'If you truly believe it, the moment has come to show yourself. There are things that we can do, under the parameters of the code, that will protect your anonymity.’